Apparatus for accommodating box-like articles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for accommodating box-like articles includes a case open at least at the front for permitting a plurality of box-like articles (e.g., cassettes) to be slidably accommodated through the front opening independently of one another and in a plurality of rows disposed one above another. Compression springs independently forwardly urge the box-like articles accommodated in the case. A (e.g., heart-like cam groove and locking pin) lock the box-like articles in their retreated positions in the case against the biasing forces of the springs. A shoulder surface of the case, front edge of upper slide holder, upright surfaces of lower slide holder and rear wall surface of recessed portion stop the box-like articles such that those in a row partly project outwardly from the opening of the case to a smaller extent that those in the next lower row.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for accommodating box-likearticles, e.g., cassettes.

2. Related Art Statement

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art apparatus for accommodating cassetteswhich is installed in an automobile.

This prior art apparatus comprises a box-like case 1 open at the front,a plurality of partition members 3 depending from the upper wall of thecase 1 and arranged in parallel and spaced apart a distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of cassettes 2 accommodated thereinand leaf springs 4 each secured to the aforesaid upper wall betweenadjacent partition members 3 for downwardly urging each cassette 2. Thecase 1 is wholly accommodated in a lateral hole or recess 6 in a carcenter console panel.

In the prior art accommodation apparatus as noted above, adjacentcassettes 2 accommodated in the case 1 are spaced apart by a very smalldistance, so that it is rather difficult to take out a given cassette 2because adjacent cassettes 2 hinder the removal.

Further, the cassettes 2 accommodated in the case 1 partly project fromthe front of the center console panel 5, which is not desirable from thestandpoint of appearance. Further, the accommodated cassettes are liableto be flung out of the case 1 and scattered about when the car stopssuddenly.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an accommodation apparatuswhich permits an intended box-like article to be taken out readily andreliably.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accommodation apparatusfrom which accommodated articles are not flung out even under a strongshock.

A further object of the invention is to provide an accommodationapparatus which gives a high class impression.

To attain the above objects of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for accommodating box-like articles which comprises a baseopen at least at the front for permitting box-like articles to beslidably accommodated through the front opening, biasing means forforwardly urging the box-like articles accommodated in the case, andlocking means for locking the box-like articles in retreated positionsthereof in the case against the biasing forces of the biasing means, thebox-like articles being released from the locked state when they arefurther pushed from the retreated positions.

To store a box-like article in the case, the article is pushed directlyor indirectly into the depth of the case from the front opening thereofagainst the biasing force of the biasing means. As a result, the articleis locked in a retreated position in the case by the locking means.

To take out an accommodated box-like article, the article is slightlypushed either directly or indirectly toward the depth of the case. Thispushing operation has an effect of releasing the lock of the lockingmeans. As a result, the article is pushed by the biasing force of thebiasing means to be ejected outwardly from the front opening of thecase. In this state, the article can be easily taken out of the case bygrasping its portion projecting from the front opening of the case.

Further by closing the case front opening by turning a lid to an uprightstate, dust can no longer easily enter the case interior. Moreover, theappearance becomes good. Further, by providing air dampers for dampingthe sliding operation of articles and opening and closing operations ofthe lid, it is possible to provide a box-like article accommodationapparatus giving a high class impression.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing a prior artapparatus for accommodating box-like articles;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted in acar;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of theapparatus for accommodating box-like articles according to theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the apparatus of FIG. 3 in anassembled state;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V--V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI--VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the apparatus of FIG. 3 with a lidturned down into an open state;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII--VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX--IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view for explaining opening and closingoperations of the lid;

FIG. 11 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the relation betweenan upper slide holder and a case of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the relation betweena lower slide holder and the case of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the lid held upright byan urging member;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing the urgingmember of FIG. 13 in an inverted state;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a different example of the case ofthe apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a different example of lockingmeans of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the locking means of FIG. 16 in anassembled state;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line XVIII--XVIII in FIG. 17;and

FIG. 19 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the locking meansof FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating another example of a caseusable in the apparatus of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 3 to 14 illustrate one embodiment of the apparatus foraccommodating box-like articles according to the invention. Referring tothe Figures, reference numeral 10 generally designates the apparatus. Inthis embodiment, the apparatus 10 is mounted in a motor car foraccommodating cassettes 11 for cassette tapes.

The apparatus 10 generally comprises, as shown in FIG. 3, a case 12 openat least at the front, upper and lower slide holders 14 and 15 slidablyaccommodated one above the other in the case 12 through the frontopening 13 thereof and having respective support surfaces 14' and 15',on each of which two cassettes 11 can be supported side by side, and alid 17 pivotally coupled by pins 16 to the front end of lower slideholder 15 for opening and closing the opening 13 of the case 12, the lidbeing turned down about the pins 16 into an open state.

The case 12 has a vertically flat box-like shape open at the front andalso at the rear. It has a transversal partition wall 18 extendingsubstantially midway of its height and toward its depth from the opening13. The partition wall 18 defines an upper space and a lower space inthe interior of the case 12. The top wall of the case 12 has asubstantially central box-like recessed portion 19 open at the top. Theupper space defined by the partition wall 18 is defined into a leftspace and a right space by the left and right side walls of the recessedportion 19, these left and right spaces each being capable of receivinga cassette 11 inserted therein (FIG. 7).

The open rear end of the case 12 is covered by a cover member 22 havinga pair of, i.e., upper and lower, cylinder portions 20 and 21 rearwardlyprojecting from a substantially central portion (FIGS. 4, 10 and 11).Either the case 12 or the cover 22 is provided with a recess 23 whilethe other is provided with a projection 24, so that the cover 22 can bemounted by a one-touch operation on the open rear end of the case 12 bythe engagement of the recess 23 and projection 24 with each other. Ofcourse the cover 22 can be removed by releasing the engagement of therecess 23 and projection 24.

Of the two slide holders 14 and 15, the upper slide holder 14, as shownin FIG. 3, integrally has a substantially central rectangular portion14a, a pair of, i.e., left and right, holding portions 14b extendinglaterally from the opposite sides of the central rectangular portion 14aand a hollow piston portion 14c rearwardly projecting from therectangular portion 14a.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the hollow piston portion 14c is inserted inthe upper cylinder portion 20, these two portions constituting an airdamper. Reference numeral 25 designates an O-ring fitted in an annulargroove 26 formed in the piston portion 14c adjacent to an end thereof,numeral 27 a compression spring to be compressed between the piston andcylinder portions 14c and 20, numeral 28 an orifice formed in thecylinder portion 20, and numeral 29 a throttle screw screwed in theorifice 28. The annular groove 26 has a greater width than the O-ringand is provided with an exhausting passage 26' communicating with theinterior of the piston portion 14c adjacent to the rear end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower slide holder 15 integrally has a centralhollow rectangular portion 15a open at the front and at the rear and apair of, i.e., left and right, holding portions 15b extending laterallyfrom the opposite sides of the hollow rectangular portion 15a. A pistonrod 30 is slidably inserted in the hollow rectangular portion 15a.

The piston rod 30 is a one-piece plastic molding elongate in thelongitudinal direction. It has a heart-like cam groove 30c formed in anintermediate portion of its length and constituting part of lockingmeans and also has a hollow piston portion 30a adjacent to its rear end,the piston portion 30a being inserted in the lower cylinder portion 21,these piston and cylinder portions constituting another air damper(FIGS. 5, 12). Reference numeral 31 designates a check valve for openingand closing an exhausting hole 32 formed in the hollow piston portion30a, numeral 33 an O-ring fitted on the outer periphery of the pistonportion 30a, numeral 34 a compression spring to be compressed betweenthe piston and cylinder portions 30a and 21, and numeral 35 an orificeformed in the cylinder portion 21.

The front end of the piston rod 30, as shown in FIG. 3, constitutes apin section 30b having a pair of, i.e., left and right, pins. Theheart-like cam groove 30c formed in the upper surface of an intermediateportion of the piston rod 30 in the length thereof co-operates with alocking pin 36 provided on the case 12, the cam groove 30c and lockingpin 36 together constituting locking means. The locking pin 36, as shownin FIG. 3, is formed by bending a metal wire into a substantiallyU-shaped form. It has a comparatively short stem portion 36a and acomparatively long tracing portion 36b. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, thestem portion 36a of the locking pin 36 is inserted in a hole formed inthe bottom of the recessed portion 19 of the case 12 and securedthereto. The tracing portion 36b of the locking pin 36 penetrates athrough hole 37 formed in the bottom of the recessed portion 19 and aslot 15d formed in the central hollow rectangular portion 15a of thelower slide holder 15. Its free end extends into the cam groove 30c ofthe piston rod 30. As the piston rod 30, and hence the cam groove 30c,is moved back and forth, the free end of the tracing portion 36bcompletes an excursion along the cam groove 30c while swinging to theleft and right about the stem portion 36a, whereby the lower slideholder 15 is released from locking. The locking pin 36 is retained fromabove by a retaining leaf spring 38 so that the free end of the tracingportion 36b is reliably held in the bottom of the cam groove 30c. An endof the retaining leaf spring 38 is secured by a screw 39 to the bottomof the recessed portion 19.

The locking means consisting of the combination of the cam groove 30cand locking pin 36 releases the locked state in response to an operationof pushing the lid 17 as will be described later in detail.

When the lower slide holder 15 etc. experiences a strong shock, as whenthe car suddenly stops, the locking means is liable to erroneouslyrelease the locked state. In such a case the lower slide holder 15 willbe projected to fling out the accommodated articles. Therefore, thelocking means is provided with safety means for preventing the erroneousoperation. Such locking means will now be described with reference toFIGS. 15 to 19.

This locking means, like that in the above embodiment, consists of aheart-like cam groove 30c provided in a piston rod 30 and a locking pin36. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, however, the locking pin 36 is mountedin the recessed portion 19 of the case with its stem portion 36arotatably supported in a bearing hole 62 of a base 61 and its tracingportion 36b at the other end penetrates the slot 15d formed in thecentral hollow rectangular portion 15a of the lower slide holder 15 fromthe through hole 37 of the recessed portion 19 and extending into thecam groove 30c of the piston rod 30. On one side portion of the base 61are provided a weight 63 made of a metal and slidable in thelongitudinal direction and a coil spring 64 biasing the weight 63 in aretreating direction.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the weight 63 isinserted sidewise in a longitudinally elongate slide groove 65 formed inthe base 61 along one side thereof and slidable along the slide groove65 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The weight 63 has a sidewiseprojection 66 projecting from one side. When the weight 63 is in anadvanced position, the sidewise projection 66 opposes sidewise thetracing portion 36b of the locking pin 36 to prevent a swing of thelocking pin 36 in the releasing direction, i.e., displacement of thefree end of the tracing portion 36b from a stop section 30d to anescapement section 30e of the cam groove 30c (FIG. 19).

The coil spring 64 has an end portion fitted on a pin-like projection68, which projects from the inner surface of an end portion of anL-shaped extension of the base 61 into the slide groove 65, and theother end portion fitted in a groove 69 formed in the bottom of theweight 63, the spring 64 being thus compressed between the inner surfacenoted above and an end surface of the groove 69. The open bottom of thegroove 69 of the weight 63 is closed by the upper surface of the slidegroove 65 of the base 61 in frictional contact with the weight 63. Thecoil spring 64 thus is never detached from but is reliably retained inthe groove 69 to bias the weight 63 and hold the weight 63 in the slidegroove 65.

The upper slide holder 14 is forwardly pushed by the coil spring 27 viaits piston portion 14c, while the lower slide holder 15 is forwardlypushed by the coil spring 34 via the piston rod 30. These two slideholders 14 and 15 are pushed to their most advanced positions, which aredetermined by stopper means. more specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and9, the slide holders 14 and 15 are pushed to their most advancedpositions such that the cassettes 11 held on their support surfaces 14'and 15' partly project from the opening 13 of the case 12 in astaircase-like fashion, that is, the cassettes 11 held by the upperslide holder 14 project to a smaller extent than the cassettes 11 heldby the lower slide holder 15. More specifically, in this embodiment themost advanced position of the upper slide holder 14 is determined by ashoulder surface 40 provided in the opposite side wall inner surfaces ofthe case 12 and the rear surface of the recessed portion 19, so that theupper slide holder 14 is stopped at a position at which the leading end14" of the upper slide holder 14 is in contact with the two surfacesnoted above (FIGS. 8, 9 and 11). The most advanced position of the lowerslide holder 15 is also determined by the shoulder surface 40. In thiscase, however, upright end surfaces 15c provided in a rear portion ofthe lower slide holder 15 are in contact with the shoulder surface 40.Thus, in its stopped position, the lower slide holder 15 projects to agreater extent than the upper slide holder 14 (FIGS. 9, 10 and 12). Inthis embodiment the stopper means, therefore, is constituted by theshoulder surface 40 of the case 12, rear surface of the recessed portion19, front end 14" of the upper slide holder 14 and upright end surfaces15c of the lower slide holder 15. The rear end of the transversepartition wall 18 defining the upper and lower spaces in the case 12coincides with the shoulder surface 40 noted above.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the lid 17 is a thick plate member. It has apair of, i.e., left and right, triangular ribs 41 projecting from itsinner surface adjacent to the opposite sides. The ribs 41 haverespective bearing holes 42, in which the left and right pins 16 of thelower side holder 15 are pivoted. A substantially central portion of theinner surface of the lid 17 is provided with a pivotal section 43 havinga pair of, i.e., left and right, pins. To the pivotal section 43 ispivoted one end of a joint 44, the other end of which is pivoted at thepin section 30b of the piston rod 30 slightly rearwardly of the frontend thereof, the piston rod 30 and lid 17 being thus coupled to eachother. The lower surface of the joint 44 is provided with a leaf spring45 extending in a rearwardly slanted direction. The leaf spring 45 hasan effect of preventing the joint 4 from directly striking the innersurface 17' of the lid 7 when the lid 17 is turned down to open theopening 13. The top of the hollow rectangular portion 15a adjacent tothe front end thereof is formed with a slit which permits the joint 44to be upwardly tilted or become horizontal.

Reference numeral 46 in FIGS. 3 and 7 designates a joint cover coveringthe joint 44. The distance between each side surface of the joint cover46 and the inner surface of the corresponding rib 41 of the lid 17 withthe joint cover 46 fitted is set to be substantially equal to the widthof the cassettes 11. The ribs 41 and joint cover 46 thus serve as aguide means that determines the direction in which a cassette 11 isinserted or taken out. Reference numeral 47 designates a coil springbiasing the joint cover 46 to be pulled toward the lid 17.

Reference numeral 48 in FIGS. 3, 13 and 14 designates an urging memberfor urging a portion of the inner surface 17' of the lid 17 lower thanthe pins 16 in the closed state of the lid 17. The urging member 48 islongitudinally slidably retained in a guide 49 provided substantially onthe center of the bottom of the case 12. It is biased by a coil spring50, which is compressed between it and the guide 49, in a direction toproject forwardly from the guide 49 (FIG. 3). Reference numeral 51 inFIGS. 13 and 14 designates a pair of guide slots formed in the lowerwall of the guide 49 and extending in the direction of sliding of theurging member 48, and numeral 52 a pair of pawls projecting from thelower surface of the urging member 48, the pawls 52 being received inthe guide slots 51.

Reference numeral 53 in FIGS. 6, 9 and 12 designates a pair, i.e., leftand right, of buttons, which extend through respective holes 54 formedin the rear wall of the lower slide holder 15 into the interior thereofto be in elastic contact with and forwardly push the rear surface ofcassettes 11 in the lower slide holder 15. Each of the buttons 53 isslidably held in a cylinder-like button holder 55 secured to the covermember 22 and is biased by a coil spring 56 compressed between it andthe rear end of the button holder 55. The outer periphery of alongitudinally intermediate portion of the button 53 has a flange-likeportion 57 having a greater diameter than the inner diameter of the hole54. When no cassette 11 is accommodated in the lower slide holder 15,the slide holder 15 itself can be urged forwardly via this flange-likeportion 57. The button 53 has a pair of pawls provided on the rear endopposite sides, these pawls being received in longitudinal notchesformed on the opposite sides of the button holder 55 and received by thefront ends of the notches so that the button 53 will not be detachedfrom the button holder 55.

The operation of the apparatus 10 will now be described. To open thecase 12 from the closed state, the front surface of the lid 17 isslightly pushed by the hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

As the lid 17 is pushed, the piston rod 30 is retreated via the joint44. This retreat causes the locking pin 36 locked in the heart-like camgroove 30c of the piston rod 30 to be moved in the cam groove 30c, thusreleasing the locked state. When the locked state is released, thepiston portion 30a of the piston rod 30 is pushed forwardly by therestoring force of the coil spring 34 in the lower cylinder portion 21,so that the piston rod 30 is advanced.

This advancement of the piston rod 30 causes the lid 17 to be pushedforwardly and separated from the front surface of the case 12, as shownin FIG. 10, so that the lower slide holder 15 with the pins 16 thereofpivoted in the holes 42 in the ribs 41 of the lid 17 is advanced.

Subsequently, the lid 17 is turned down about the pins 16 to begradually opened. The maximum opening angle is determined by an angledetermination means. In this embodiment, the lid 17 is stopped when itis opened to a horizontal position, at which a lowermost portion 17" ofthe inner surface 17' of the lid 17 is in contact with the lower surface15" of the lower slide holder 15 (FIGS. 8 and 9). At this open positionof the lid 17, the inner surface 17' thereof lies substantially in thesame plane as the support surface 15' of the lower slide holder 15 (FIG.7).

The lower slide holder 15 is stopped at its most advanced position, atwhich the upright end surfaces 15c are in contact with the shouldersurface 40 of the case 12 (FIGS. 8 and 9 and left side of FIG. 12).

Further, the advancement of the piston rod 30 causes air to be drawninto the lower cylinder portion 21 through the orifice 35. Thus, abraking force is produced, so that the piston rod 30 and lower slideholder 15 are advanced quietly and also the lid 17 is opened quietly.Further, when the lid 17 is opened, the leaf spring 45 of the joint 44is brought into elastic contact with the inner surface 17' of the lid 17and provides a cushioning effect. The lid 17 is thus opened even morequietly.

When the upper slide holder 14 is accommodating a cassette 11 on atleast one of the left and right holding portions 14b, the front surfaceof the cassette case 11 is urged against the inner surface 17' of theclosed lid 17 by the coil spring 27, so that the upper slide holder 14is at its retreated position. Therefore, when the lid 17 is opened, theupper slide holder 14 is advanced with the cassette 11 held on theholding portion 14b by the restoring force of the coil spring 27 to itsmost advanced position, at which the front end 14" is in contact withthe shoulder surface 40 of the case 12 and rear surface of the recessedportion 19 (FIGS. 8 and 9 and broken lines in FIG. 11).

Further, when the upper slide holder 14 is advanced, the O-ring 25 onthe piston portion 14c is moved rearwardly along the annular groove 26in frictional contact with the inner wall surface of the cylinderportion 20, thus closing and sealing the exhausting passage 26'. Theupper cylinder portion 20 which has thus been sealed withdrawscontrolled air through the orifice 28. Thus, a braking force isproduced, and the upper slide holder 14 is advanced slowly and quietly.

When no cassette 11 is accommodated in the upper slide holder 14, theholder 14 is biased forwardly by the restoring force of the coil spring27, so that it is at its most advanced position, with its front end 14"in contact with the shoulder surface 40 and recessed portion 19 as notedabove. The holder 14 thus is held in this state even when the lid 17 isopened.

When the lid 17 is opened, a cassette 11 may be inserted into each ofthe holders 14 and 15 from the opening 13 of the case 12. In thisembodiment, a total of four cassettes 11 can be loaded.

When loading a cassette 11 in the upper slide holder 14, the cassette 11may be pushed forward with its end placed on the upper surface of thetransverse partition wall 18 of the case 12. When the cassette 11 ispushed, it is partly transferred from the partition wall 18 onto thesupport surface 14' of the upper slide holder 14 and is stopped at aposition at which the rear surface of the cassette is in contact withthe rear wall of the upper slide holder 14 (FIG. 9).

When loading a cassette 11 in the lower slide holder 15, the cassette 11may only be pushed toward the depth of the holder along the innersurface 17' of the lid 17 because the inner surface 17' liessubstantially in the same plane as the support surface 15' of the lowerslide holder 15. At this time, the cassette 11 is positioned between onerib 41 of the lid 17 and the joint cover 46. When the cassette 11 ispushed in this way, the direction of insertion of the cassette 11 isdetermined by the rib 41 and joint cover 46. The lower surface of thecassette is thus transferred onto the support surface 15' of the lowerslide holder 15, lying substantially in the same plane as the innersurface 17' of the lid 17, and the cassette is stopped at a position, atwhich the rear surface is in contact with the rear wall of the lowerslide holder 15 (FIG. 9).

When cassettes 11 are loaded in the two slide holders 14 and 15, thefront end portions of the upper and lower cassettes 11 project in astaircase-like fashion (FIGS. 7 and 9).

To accommodate the cassettes 11 in the case 12, the lid 17 is raised andpushed toward the case 12 with the hand.

When the lid 17 is raised, it is turned about the pins 16 to the uprightstate, thus causing a slight retreat of the piston rod 30. When the lid17 is pushed subsequently, the lower slide holder 15 and piston rod 30are both retreated. Subsequently, the front surface of the cassettes 11loaded in the upper slide holder 14 is urged by the inner surface 17' ofthe lid 17, so that the upper slide holder 14 and the piston portion 14care retreated likewise.

When the inner surface 17' of the lid 17 is brought into contact withthe front end of the case 12, the lid 17 can no longer be pushed, sothat it is released. As a result, it is pushed back by the restoringforce of the coil spring 34 acting on the piston rod 30. With a slightretreat of the lid 17, however, the locking pin 36 is engaged in the camgroove 30c of the piston rod 30 to stop the piston rod 30 having beenpushing back the lid 17. This lid 17 thus held upright at a positionslightly spaced apart from the opening 13 of the case 12 (FIGS. 5, 6 and13).

When closing and pushing the lid 17 in this way, the cylinder portions20 and 21 provide no braking force. Thus, the lid 17 can be pushedwithout need of exerting any extra force.

More specifically, in a step of retreat of the piston portion 14c of theupper slide holder 14, the O-ring 25 is advanced in the annular groove26 to open the exhausting passage 26', air in the upper cylinder portion20 is exhausted to the outside through the exhausting passage 26'. Theouter diameter of the flange-like portions at the front and rear ends ofthe annular groove 26, therefore, is preferably set to be slightlysmaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder portion 20.

Likewise, in the step of retreat of the piston portion 30a of the pistonrod 30, air in the lower cylinder portion 21 is exhausted to the outsidethrough the check valve 31. Therefore, no braking action is providedwhen closing the lid 17 or pushing the lid 17.

When the lid 17 is upright, a portion of the inner surface 17' lowerthan the pins 16 is forwardly pushed by the urging member 48. Thus, whencassettes 11 are loaded in the slide holders 14 and 15, the innersurface 17' of the lid 17 is brought into contact with the front surfaceof each cassette 11. Thus, the lid 17 will not rattle even when externalvibration is transmitted to it (FIGS. 5 and 13).

This is so because there is a slight gap between the lid 17 and thefront edge of the case 12 for pushing the lid 17 to take out the case11, and this gap prevents the inner surface 17' of the lid 17 fromstriking the front end of the case 12 when the lid 17 is turned downabout the pins 16.

Further, the cassettes 11 inside the case 12 will not rattle even whenexternal vibration is transmitted to the apparatus 10. Morespecifically, this is so because the cassettes 11 in the upper slideholder 14 are normally urged against the inner surface 17' of the lid 17by the coil spring 27 acting on the upper slide holder 14, so thatback-and-forth movement of the cassettes 11 is prevented (FIG. 5).

In the lower slide holder 15, the rear surface of the cassettes 11 isforwardly urged by the buttons 53 projecting into the lower slide holder15 through the holes 54 so that the front surface of the cassettes 11 isurged against the inner surface 17' of the lid 17. Thus, back-and-forthmovement of the cassettes 11 is prevented likewise.

Further, the slide holders 14 and 15 will not rattle in the case 12 evenwhen no cassette 11 loaded in the slide holders 14 and 15.

More specifically, when no cassette 11 is loaded in the upper slideholder 14, this holder 14 is advanced by the coil spring 27 and heldurged at its most advanced position as shown by the broken lines in FIG.11 so that it cannot be moved back and forth. Therefore, it will notrattle even when external vibration is transmitted to it.

When there is no cassette 11 in the lower slide holder 15, the holder 15is urged forwardly by the flange-like portions 57 of the buttons 53, andits end is urged against the inner surface 17' of the lid 17, so that itcannot be moved back and forth. Therefore, it will not rattle even whenexternal vibration is transmitted to it.

When taking out the cassette 11, the lid 17 which is held upright at aposition slightly spaced apart from the front end of the case 12 isslightly pushed by the hand in the manner as described above. As aresult, the lid 17 is advanced and forwardly turned down to the openstate, causing the front portions of the cassettes 11 to project fromthe opening 13 in a staircase-like fashion. Thus, the desired cassette11 can be easily taken out by grasping its projecting portion. Further,a cassette 11 can be easily loaded in an empty space.

In the above embodiment, the box-like articles are cassettes 11 forcassette tapes. However, according to the invention it is possible toaccommodate as box-like articles cassette halves, video tapes, tapes fordigital audio tape recorders, tape cases thereof or disk cases forcompact disks and floppy disks.

Further, the apparatus is not limited to one mounted in a car, but maybe of the type built into audio or office equipment or of generalfurniture type.

Further, the coil springs 27 and 34 of the biasing means may be replacedwith leaf springs. Further, while in the above embodiment the cassettes11 are biased indirectly via the slide holders 14 and 15, it is possibleto directly bias the cassettes 11 using locking means as illustrated inFIG. 20. To be specific, the locking means is provided on a cover 22 forthe rear end of a case 12 having a front opening 13 and comprises apiston rod 30 having a strike 71 at the leading end thereof and forminga heart-like cam groove 30c in an intermediate portion of the lengththereof, a cylinder 73 for retaining the piston rod 30 and permittingthe piston rod 30 to slide therein, a locking pin 36 having one endthereof supported pivotally on the cylinder 73 and the other end thereoftracing the cam groove 30c, and a coil spring 72 inserted about thepiston rod 30 for biasing the strike 71 in the forward direction. Thenumber of the locking means corresponds to that of spaces defined in thecase 12 by partition walls 18. When a cassette 11 is pushed into thespace it is accommodated within the space and, when the cassette isfurther pushed into the space, it is projected from the front opening 13of the case 12 by the action of the strike 71 biased by the coil spring72. By setting the position of the lower locking means more forward thanthat of the upper locking means it is possible to take the lowercassette 11 out of the case 12 more easly. Further, denoted by referencenumeral 70 in FIG. 20 is a leaf spring having a center expanded portionfor biasing the cassette 11 in the lateral direction to prevent thecassette 11 from rattling within the space of the case 12. Further, itis possible to accommodate any desired number of slide holders of eitherhorizontal or vertical type.

Further, while in the above embodiment the locking means capable ofreleasing consists of the heart-like cam groove 30c of the piston rod 30and locking pin 36 for tracing the groove, it is possible to constructlocking means using a hook and a locking pin having the same function.

As has been described in the foregoing, according to the inventionbox-like articles are completely accommodated in the case in theirstored state, which is desirable in view of appearance. Further, whentaking out an accommodated box-like article, by merely pushing it, itcan be projected to a state that it can be readily taken out. It is thuspossible to provide a box-like article accommodation apparatus whichpermits very easy and ready insertion and removal of box-like articles.

Further, the number of box-like articles that can be accommodated can befreely selected by appropriately selecting the positions and interval ofpartition walls of the case, while a neat appearance is presented afterthe box-like articles are completely accommodated in the case. Further,the individual stored box-like articles can be easily taken out at thetime they are projected from the case opening in a staircase-likefashion.

Further, when the box-like articles are stored, the case opening isclosed by the lid in the upright state so that dust is shut out from thecase, and a neat appearance is presented.

Further, the lid is slidingly opened together with the slide holders inresponse to an operation of merely slightly pushing it, so that a highclass impression can be obtained. Furthermore, when the lid is fullyopened, the inner surface thereof lies in the same plane as the slideholder support surface, permitting smooth loading and removal of abox-like article. Further, as noted above the operation of the lid andslide holders is performed in a manner controlled by the air dampers, sothat it can be performed smoothly and quietly.

Further, the locking means is provided with release prevention means, sothat it is possible to provide a highly safe article accommodationapparatus, which is free from accidental turn-down of the lid to causeforward projection of slide holders from the case opening even when amomentum is exerted on the slide holders due to a sudden stopping of themotor car or like causes.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for accommodating box-like articlescomprising a case open at least at the front, a slide holder slidablyaccommodated in said case for supporting on a support surface a box-likearticle inserted into said case through said front opening, a lidpivotably coupled to the front end of said slide holder for opening andclosing said front opening, said lid being forwardly pivotally turneddown about the point of its pivotal support to open said front opening,biasing means for forwardly urging said slide holder and lid together,locking means for locking said slide holder in a retreated position insaid case against the biasing force of said biasing means and alsolocking said lid in an upright state closing said front opening of saidcase, stopper means for restricting the foremost position of said sliderholder pushed out by the biasing force of said biasing means, and anglerestriction means for restricting the maximum open angle of said lidwhen the inner surface of said lid having been forwardly turned downlies substantially in the same plane as said support surface of saidslide holder wherein said locking means includes a cylinder secured tosaid case, a piston rod slidable in said cylinder and being connectedwith said lid, said piston rod being biased toward the front end havinga heart-like cam groove formed in the upper surface of an intermediateportion in the length thereof, and a locking pin having a stem portionsecured to said case and a tracing portion extending to swing along saidcam groove, wherein the engagement of said tracking portion in said camgroove holds said slide holder in a retreated position.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, which further comprises an air damper for brakingthe movement of said slide holder caused by said biasing means and/ormovement of said lid being opened.
 3. The apparatus according to claim1, which further comprises an urging member provided on the front edgeof said case for forwardly urging a portion of the inner surface of saidlid in the upright state thereof lower than said pivotal support pointthereof.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lid isprovided on the inner surface thereof adjacent to the opposite sideswith a pair of projecting ribs.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4,wherein said lid is provided on the central inner surface thereof with apivotal section on which one end of a joint having the other end thereofattached pivotally to the front end of said piston rod is pivotallysupported.
 6. An apparatus for accommodating box-like articlescomprising:a case open at least at the front; a slide holder slidablyaccommodated in said case for supporting on a support surface a box-likearticle inserted into said case through said front opening; a lidpivotably coupled to the front end of said slide holder for opening andclosing said front opening, said lid being forwardly pivotally turneddown about the point of its pivotal support to open said front opening;biasing means for forwardly urging said slide holder and lid together;locking means for locking said slide holder in a retreated position insaid case against the biasing force of said biasing means and alsolocking said lid in an upright state closing said front opening of saidcase, said locking means including a cylinder secured to said case, apiston rod slidable within said cylinder, the top of said rod beingconnected with said lid, said rod being biased toward the front andhaving a heart-like cam groove formed in the upper surface of anintermediate portion in the length thereof, a locking pin having a stemportion rotatably fixed to said case and a tracing portion protrudedinto said cam groove, said locking pin locking said holder in saidretreated position as well as retaining said lid in said upright statein a locking position of said cam groove and advancing said slide holderwhile forwardly turning down said lid in a releasing position of the camgroove; and safety means for preventing the releasing action of thelocking pin which is in the locking position of said cam groove whensaid slide holder experiences a momentum.
 7. The apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein said safety means comprises a weight slidable along oneside of said locking pin and impeding a swing action of the tracingportion along said cam groove when said weight is in an advancedposition, and a coil spring normally biasing said weight in a retreatedposition.
 8. Locking means comprising:a cylinder secured to a case; apiston rod slidable within said cylinder and having a heart-like camgroove formed in the upper surface of an intermediate portion in thelength thereof; spring means forwardly biasing said piston rod; aU-shaped locking pin having a stem portion rotatably fixed to said caseand a tracing portion protruded into said heart-like cam groove, saidlocking pin locking said piston rod within said cylinder against thebiasing force of said spring means in a locking position of said camgroove and protruding said piston rod from the inside of said cylinderby the biasing force in a releasing position of said cam groove; aweight slidable along one side of said locking pin and impeding anaction of said locking pin which is in the locking position of said camgroove when said weight is in an advanced position; and a coil springnormally biasing said weight in a retreated position.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said joint is covered by a joint coverwhich, in cooperation with said pair of projecting ribs, constitutes aguide means that determines the direction in which the box-like articlesare inserted.